In 1961, President Dwight D. Eisenhower made his farewell speech as he prepared to leave office. A section of that speech was remarkable. As a former career military officer, General Eisenhower warned the country about giving too much power to, as he called it, the "military-industrial" complex.
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Ike's words:
"This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influence -- economic, political, even spiritual -- is felt in every city, every State house, every office of the Federal government. We recognize the imperative need for this development. Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. Our toil, resources and livelihood are all involved; so is the very structure of our society.
In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the militaryindustrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist."
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Ike was a wise man and a prophet. We are now in the grip of those we were warned against.
In the political climate we find ourselves in today, Bush and Cheney would brand President Eisenhower as "irresponsible".
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